Better Eclipse to fly TAB flag in The Race By Grins

One of Australia’s most outstanding harness racing pacers at the elite level is heading to Cambridge in April.

Entain Australia and New Zealand, the operator of New Zealand’s TAB, have secured the six-year-old Better Eclipse (Betterthancheddar) for the $1 million The Race By Grins at Cambridge on 12 April to add a genuine trans-Tasman edge to the slot race for pacers.

The Victorian has been in career-best form through late 2023, winning two of his three heats at the Inter Dominion series in Brisbane in December, and running 2nd in the Inter Dominion final.

He returned to racing on 27 January with a win over Don’t Stop Dreaming in the Group 3 Casey Classic at Melton, passing the A$1m mark in career earnings in the process, and raced at the top level in the Hunter Cup earlier this month, finishing fourth to Queensland sensation Leap to Fame.

Cameron Rodger, Managing Director – New Zealand for Entain Australia and New Zealand, said Better Eclipse is an ideal acquisition for the Entain/New Zealand TAB slot.

“His record speaks for itself with wins at Group 1 through to Group 3 level, and he never gives up,” Cameron Rodger.

“What’s more, he’s a familiar name to both Australian and New Zealand punters, which is really important as we look to increase engagement in our New Zealand features across the Tasman.”

Better Eclipse’s trainer Jess Tubbs was thrilled to link up with Entain and TAB for this year’s edition of The Race By Grins, extending an existing racing partnership she and her husband, driver Greg Sugars, have with Entain through the Ladbrokes Racing Club.

“Better Eclipse seems to be thriving in the last six months, so fingers crossed we can do the team proud and come home with a great result in New Zealand,” Jess Tubbs said.

“Entain have really demonstrated their commitment to harness racing over the past few years, at a time when the industry has most needed support. We are proud to be associated with such a strong and loyal brand.”

Better Eclipse is currently $11 in the TAB futures market for The Race By Grins but has been boosted to $15. The Race By Grins and the TAB Trot – a slot race for the best trotters in Australasia – headline what is set to be a spectacular evening of harness racing at Cambridge Raceway on the second Friday in April.

From Entain